Saying our Goodbyes ~Aug.11th

With limited time in North Battleford, my parents had a lot of people to see as they had both grown up there. Dad's childhood friend Mike showed up for breakfast at the hotel, as did Dad's brother Bill with his daughter Rina. They had decided to visit Bill's old hometown also, driving out from Chilliwack. Quite funny to find out they were staying at the same motel as us at the same time!

 Dad and Mike.

 Rina and Mom

 Dad and Brother Bill.

Meanwhile, I set off to the church reception hall with my cousins to help decorate the walls with quilts my grandmother had made for us over the years. Most of them were wedding gifts for her children and grandchildren, but also some baby afghans for great-grandchildren. Grandma was a very industrious woman, and talented too. :) My first quilting influence.

 People enjoyed the "quilt show", especially those from the Quilter's Guild.

 Thanks to Rob & Ellick for hanging up the strings.

 3/4 of the room was covered in quilts.

 Grandma's most treasured quilt for herself... "Greet a (Greta) Sunbonnet Sue".

 One of the he popular Tiger Lily quilts...

 Jayme with a matching quilt.

 My wedding quilt, with fabric used by my
Mom to make my dresses in childhood.

We had a quick pizza lunch together before attending Grandma's service. It was done beautifully with so much input from her seven children and two grandchildren. Uncle Paul made a touching tribute to her life that you can view here. Here are a few of my favourite photos of her...

 Bert & Greta, October 9th, 1940

After I was born, at age 49. I wonder if I'll have my first grandchild by then? Yikes!

The reception was enjoyable although I didn't visit too much as suddenly we had to take all the quilts down before leaving for the cemetery as we wouldn't be back. Oh well... :)

 Rob with our cousin Mona, on our Dad's side.

 The grandchildren sang "Because He Lives".

 MacMillan cousins of Mom's, with Elisa & Laura.

 Rob, Ellick, Jen, Marjorie, Lucy & Karla.

 Julie, Katie, Jillian, Matt, Jayme & fiance Mike, Izzy, Nava & Genevieve.

 Longtime friend of Grandma's Evelyn and husband John.

 Darcia, Autumn, Mason & Trystan

 Honouring Grandma

 More MacMillan cousins with "Auntie Wilda".

 Melvin, Christopher & Danielle

The cemetery was on the outskirts of North Battleford which we drove to in a procession of cars.

Photos from after the graveside service. It seemed a bit inappropriate to do so, but I also wanted to record this time of togetherness. It was very sad to gather around Grandma's coffin, but we sang a hymn together and found comfort in being together. Her greatest legacy was her faith and family. The funeral home attendants may have found it a strange atmosphere as we then took family photos in such a solemn, yet peaceful place.

 With Uncle Wayne from Minnesota.

 Dad reflects. Grandma was an influence on his life as he
 grew up around their kitchen table, part of the family.

 Too bad about the sunglasses and tinted ones!

 Lovely sister Ann.

 Elisa & Trevan.

 Jen & Lucy.

 A rose to remember Greta.

 One last glimpse back.

 The three lovely sisters: Jean, Wendy & Ede.

 Jean & Corinne.

 With Mom's cousin Linda and husband Stephen.

 Jayme & Ann.

 Next to Grandpa now.

Afterward we went back to the church for Chinese food from Grandma's favourite restaurant. (They even sent a floral bouquet to the family.) We reminisced more and went through some of Grandma's personal items so every grandchild had a personal momento. Thanks to Jean for organizing that so well. We sorted through old letters and photos too. Was a very special time.

The three sisters debrief after a long but memorable day.

The trip to say farewell ~Aug. 9-10th

Sad news arrived on August 3rd that my grandmother, Greta Johnson, had passed away at the age of 97, after living with dementia for the last several years. We were all relieved that she was no longer suffering, and thankful for the presence and impact she had had on our lives despite living far apart.

 Our second-to-last visit in July 2010.

 Grandma went to China years before we did.
She was thrilled to meet Nora in Dec. 2010, at age 92.

It took awhile to get our act together but shifts were soon cancelled, hotel reservations made, and it was decided that I would go on a road trip to Saskatchewan with my parents and brother Rob. It was immediately a flashback experience to our childhood, to which we all transitioned to pretty easily. (Although now it was easier to do some personality analysis and see where some of those traits came from...) We enjoyed Dad's stories but were concerned when Rob also told stories while driving yet insisted on eye contact while doing so. He soon had two backseat drivers. :) Such a personable guy...

 Taking the view in at Mt. Robson

This was Dad's first roadtrip since his accident last February. He did very well even though it was exhausting to be sitting for so long. Eventually he sat in the backseat with his left leg extended through the centre aisle of their van. It was so enjoyable to spend time together. Not so much sharing a room together at the hotel in Stony Plain. I slept poorly with all the snoring going on. :) 

 Had a DQ lunch in Vegreville. All familiar stops from childhood travels.

 I took over driving here and was in trouble for speeding from 3/3 other passengers.

 Approaching North Battleford. Almost "Home".

The family was gathered at our Grandparents' former church, enjoying a spaghetti dinner. It was lovely to see cousins, Aunts and Uncles. As a group we then walked several blocks to the funeral home for a viewing. A parade was about to begin so people were sitting along the sidewalks. Kind of sweet that Grandma had her own parade. :)

 With Jen from Minnesota.

 Tirzah, Izzy, Dad and Lucy. (All children gravitate to him...)

 Ann found her own way from Winnipeg with our Uncle's family
from Minnesota, making their drive very entertaining. ;)

 Darren, Rob, Teresa & Corinne.

 With Rob, Corinne, Lucy, Jen, Teresa & Darren.

 Jayme & Karla, another American cousin from California.

 Genevieve & Nava

 Will, Cheryl, Matt & Jillian

 Colin, Shira & Hannah

 Wayne, Matt, Jillian & Jen

 Jayme, Laura & Julie

 Terra, Trinity & Darcia

 Alex, Trevan & Elisa

 Ann, Rob, Melvin & Trudy

 Christopher

 Dad & Marjorie

And the parade carried on as we returned to the church to visit; all seemed bittersweet. So happy to be together with our extended family but missing Grandma already.